Empaths are those that can feel aspects of the field, as if it were themselves. Meanwhile, catalysts can activate energies in the field at will. The work here at Openhand draws people from both ends of the spectrum in equal measure, and each is reflecting to the other - we all have varying degrees of empathic and catalytic qualities. Often our greatest gift conceals our greatest vulnerability in the field - we might be too open or else too closed, for example. So what might each trait learn from its opposite?

I think there's a huge misunderstanding about the purpose of the soul, and with that, life itself. I put it to you, that the soul is an expression of the One - of pure presence. And it's purpose is to actualise the One in every moment - as an expression. When you hit this sweet spot of life, without needing it to go a particular way, then you channel the enormity of the universal flow through you. It shapes things you couldn't possibly have previously imagined.

You are the One; and at the same time, you are a unique expression of the One. If we deny that uniqueness, or suppress it, you can't ride the wave of the Soul all the way back to the shores of the One within you. You have so very much to offer to life and the world. Sometimes in spiritual circles there's a tendency to emulate some perceived spiritual way of being. Or to drop duality by dropping the quintessence of you. This is self-defeating, building in itself, subtle spiritual identity. Individuality is essential to expressing the One. There's absolutely nothing like becoming the fullness of YOU...

Zillions of words have been written on the subject of intention. I'm sure it goes without saying that we'd all like a successful and fulfilled life. But what is true intention and where does it come from? In 'setting intention', we need to be really clear it's not coming from a subtle sense of lack. And in creating with the divine, we also need to be clear how that works exactly. What, if anything, does the divine 'want'? I put it to you, that there is a way to totally surrender into the divine flow, and thereby lead a truly magical, blessed and abundant life. Providing that is, we make the one authentic choice open to us...

It strikes me that the biggest problem humanity faces right now is a case of mistaken identity. People mistake themselves for something they are not; and this generates all manner of false lifestyles and suffering. And even when a person discovers they are not the ego, there frequently follows all kinds of attachment and identification with qualities of the soul: like "I am love" for example. So what about ditching all kinds of conditioned identity completely?

What about surrendering into the infinite vulnerability of the moment
and allowing the real you to effortlessly arise?
How might that positively change your life and the world around you too?...

When we begin to observe ourselves and our behaviour - our thoughts our feelings and our emotions - then we begin to know ourselves as more than the small "I". We begin to open the heart and feel our connection to the divine; sensed as joy, timelessness, expansiveness, interconnectivity, unconditional love. Many approaches in the Spiritual Mainstream would concur with this. But the question is, what happens next? What goes on internally as the soul infuses through our being; what will be encountered? And most importantly, how best can we work to integrate soul for the benefit of our lives...

It seems to me that so many are trying to figure out exactly why they are here, in this incarnation right now. And in a world of increasing turbulence, exactly what are you here to do? How can you help? It's a question that's enough to drive you crazy just thinking about it! But what if the reason for your incarnation could easily be revealed to you from the current circumstances of your life. What if a simple change of perspective on how you create reality could uplift not just you, but everyone around you?

Finding your real passion
What is it that really makes you tick in life? What is it that gets you out of bed in the cold, dark hours before the sun rises - have you discovered it yet? Is there something that you would give your whole life for - something that is more important even than breathing?

Well, I can safely say that I'm one of those fortunate beings to have discovered the answer for me. And in sharing a reflection, you might well find some inspiration for you too...

Here's an interesting video of some Alan Watts philosphy. It offers a very powerful essay in living in the now; about how we're so often programmed in society to look to goals and aspirations ahead of us; so much so, we don't actually live in the moment, and what's worse, we don't fully engage with the moment. But I ask: why is it that so many people actually do strive for some future aspiration? Is it all negative, or is there something positive about it too?

What is the Soul's Purpose?
Sense of purpose is crucial to a satisfied and harmonious life. We all seem to have a yearning for something, even if in some people that sense of destiny is partially suppressed, denied or distorted. Purpose in life is what makes us tick. It's what gets us out of bed in the morning, it defines sense of worthwhile service and it brings the divine nature of the etheric into reality. Yet when unbalanced it can also make us desperately unhappy. So what is the purpose of the soul, where does it come from and how can we attune it so that we may experience a fulfilling and successful life?...

These are extraordinary times of great change and upheaval. Many things we've come to rely upon, the establishments and systems in society, even the very foundations of the reality we've believed in, are beginning to topple. In an environment of such turmoil, who and what can you really trust in? Gone are the times when a great saviour - a Messiah - has come to 'save the day'. Now is the time to put faith in your own soul. How best do you work with the full spectrum of your authentic beingness?

Due to escalating distractive nature of society, it's easy for the lower and higher self to get separated - to be living a life that is not truly aligned with your divine purpose. If this is happening, you'll feel dissonance internally as triggering, tightness or dis-ease.